Football preview: Neuqua Valley at Bartlett

Bartlett junior Mike Partyka has a simple way of describing fellow Hawks inside linebacker Kevin Kirchhoff, who is a big hitter.

"He's just an animal," Partyka said.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Partyka is no slouch when it comes to earning a "tough guy" reputation either. After cracking six thick casts while playing with a broken hand, Partyka's doctor thinks he's a little crazy.

"Every time I have to go back to have him recast it, he starts making fun of me for being there again," said Partyka, a second-year junior starter. "I've just come to expect it every week now. He said he's never known anybody who has broken so many casts."

That's because of the way Partyka and Kirchhoff play inside linebacker in Bartlett's 4-4 defense.

"We just go out there and hit guys as hard as we can," said Kirchhoff, who has caused six fumbles. "I just try to hit hard and punch that ball out."

Kirchhoff, a 5-8, 210-pound sophomore, is a first-year starter. Partyka and Bartlett coach Tom Meaney say he's playing like a seasoned veteran.

The Hawks' inside linebacking tandem is a big reason they've gone from 3-6 a year ago to 5-2 so far this fall. They spearhead Bartlett's defense, which has given up fewer than 16 points a game. The Hawks are 3-1 in the Upstate Eight Valley, and a win against Neuqua Valley Friday would go a long way toward giving Bartlett a conference title.

"I know everybody was disappointed with how last year went, so to have the opposite kind of season is exciting," said Kirchhoff, whose older brother, Kyle, played at Bartlett with Partyka's older brother, Greg, in 2008 when the Hawks went 12-1. "We've moved forward from last year, and here we are playing for a conference championship now."

Kirchhoff's friendship with Partyka has helped both of them improve. They often talk over game plans in their spare time.

"I started off as sort of a mentor for him, but now I'm starting to learn some things from him," Partyka said. "Wait until next year. We'll be playing next to each other again — only we'll be twice as good."

X and O factor: Both teams are similar in that they like to run the ball more than pass and depend on strong defenses to create havoc. The Wildcats can put pressure on the quarterback from the defensive line, and Bartlett's 4-4 base defensive scheme best utilizes some very talented linebackers.

FYI: Neuqua Valley's defense is allowing just 12.3 points a game this season, including just 27 points in their last four games, two of which were shutouts.

He said it: "At first it was pretty difficult, because I only had one hand to wrap up with on tackles. But it's gotten easier every game since." — Bartlett junior linebacker Mike Partyka, who plays with a cast on his broken hand.